intervention that aims to promote (advocate for) and bring awareness to the importance of financial literacy in starting, running (managing) and growing business enterprises, as well as, catalyse interest (application) in the FLAME programme from potential participants (beneficiaries).

This Phase includes the following:

• LOCAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND ALIGNMENT
• ON-GROUND ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
• INFORMATION AND APPLICATION WORKSHOPS
• APPLICATION ASSESSMENT AND PARTICIPANT SELECTION

The first intervention domain of the FLAME programme involves the transfer (development) of basic (introductory) knowledge and skills in and around financial literacy, entrepreneurship and soft skills.

The objectives of the introductory training workshops are to develop basic (introductory) knowledge and understanding around the stated content domains and to assess beneficiary’s ability to engage with the programme’s content, which includes: 

• Personal financial literacy
• Goal setting
• Introduction to entrepreneurship
• Business Ideation and modelling
• Costing
• Basic business budgeting

DUE DILIGENCE ASSESSMENTS

The due diligence assessment component of the Induction and Introductory phase seeks to assess the beneficiary’s business details and activities. The data and information collected through the due diligence process is then used to inform the business categorisation process, selection into Phase 2 and subsequent coaching and mentoring interventions.

TRAINING

The core intervention of the FLAME programme involves the transfer (development) of knowledge and skills in the following learning areas (content domains), namely:

• Business (SMME) financial literacy
• Business (entrepreneurship) skills
• Soft-skills – interpersonal (socio-emotional) skills that enable participants (individuals) to build resilience and confidence to overcome learned-helplessness and develop a positive outlook on life.

INCUBATION

Business development services (BDS) interventions usually include, among others; coaching, mentoring, consultancy and network development. The FLAME programme, as a secondary objective, provides BDS in the form of one-on-one coaching and mentoring to participants and their businesses in order to improve their business performance, ability to access and satisfy markets, and sustainably compete with other businesses.

The coaching and mentoring interventions aims to encourage practical application of training content and concepts, strengthen participant skills and competencies, and increase the likelihood of venture success and sustainability. Part of this Phase is also focus on Access to Markets and assisting businesses with funding readiness.

It is envisioned that, participants who successfully go through the various FLAME programme interventions (training, coaching and mentoring) will be ready and able to access growth markets and funding.

The third and final phase of the FLAME programme is centred around building/developing confidence and self-reliance that will enable participants to independently undertake actions and/or tasks to improve/enhance their financial well-being and business performance (economic participation).

The programme rolled out in 2019 across three provinces; Western Cape (Philippi), Eastern Cape (KWT) and Gauteng (Diepsloot), with all regions in 2021, currently delivering phase 3.